Man accused of assaulting baby appears in court

Published: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 8:46 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 8:46 p.m.

A Hendersonville man charged with assaulting his 6-month-old daughter and fracturing her skull had his first appearance in court Wednesday morning.

The infant remains at Mission Hospital in Asheville, where she underwent surgery Tuesday. Earlier that day, Henderson County Sheriff's Office detectives were called to Pardee Hospital to investigate the baby's suspicious injuries, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

A medical evaluation determined the infant had severe head trauma and she was transferred immediately to Mission, the release says.

According to an arrest warrant, Swaby is accused of assaulting the baby and causing a “fractured skull and bleeding of the brain requiring emergency transport to Mission Hospital for surgery.”

Swaby is being held in the Henderson County Detention Facility in lieu of $100,000 secured bond as the investigation continues, according to the release. No further details were available about the baby's condition Wednesday.

<p>A Hendersonville man charged with assaulting his 6-month-old daughter and fracturing her skull had his first appearance in court Wednesday morning. </p><p>The infant remains at Mission Hospital in Asheville, where she underwent surgery Tuesday. Earlier that day, Henderson County Sheriff's Office detectives were called to Pardee Hospital to investigate the baby's suspicious injuries, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release.</p><p>A medical evaluation determined the infant had severe head trauma and she was transferred immediately to Mission, the release says.</p><p>After further investigation and interviews, detectives charged the baby's father, Ryan Rohan Swaby, 25, with felony child abuse inflicting serious physical injury. </p><p>According to an arrest warrant, Swaby is accused of assaulting the baby and causing a “fractured skull and bleeding of the brain requiring emergency transport to Mission Hospital for surgery.”</p><p>Swaby is being held in the Henderson County Detention Facility in lieu of $100,000 secured bond as the investigation continues, according to the release. No further details were available about the baby's condition Wednesday.</p>